This week’s Offensive Lineman of the Week is Orange junior Cayden Baker. On August 28, Baker started at right tackle as the Panthers rushed for 323 yards in its 30-0 win over Chapel Hill at Culton-Peerman Stadium. It ended Orange’s 10-game nonconference losing streak. Baker was instrumental in springing blocks that led to a 74-yard touchdown run by Markus Thomas and a 51-yard touchdown run by Kayden Bradsher. On Friday night, Baker played snap after snap in Orange’s victory over Northern Durham at Auman Stadium. The Panthers piled up a season-high 409 yards total offense. Orange had two 100-yard rushers for the first time this season. Thomas finished with 166 yards rushing. Bradsher had 154 yards rushing, including a 75-yard touchdown run on the Panthers second play from scrimmage. Baker is in his second year starting on the offensive line in head coach’s Fritz Hessenthaler’s wing-T offense. Baker understands how physically taxing it can be as Orange had 42 running plays against Northern Durham, along with 41 plays against Chapel Hill. Baker started playing football in seventh grade and alternated between right guard and center with the Orange Middle School Chargers. When Hessenthaler became head coach, he moved permanently to right tackle. Baker has a goal of helping Orange win the Big 7 Conference championship this year. Orange will host Seaforth in ints conference opener on Friday in Hillsborough.
